What’s Krill and Is It Good For Me?

I’ve got a multiple choice question for you.

What’s Krill?

a) The character from the movie Krill Bill.
b) The newest hip hop dance step.
c) A shrimp-like crustacean.

I knew you’d guess choice C!

Krill are only 1-5 cm in length but make up the largest animal biomass (living matter) on the planet.

Krill live primarily in the cold waters of the Antarctic and North Pacific Oceans.

According to Neptune Technologies, there are approximately 500 million tons of Krill in the seas and 110,000 tons are harvested yearly.

You’ve heard about the benefits of certain fish oils, but perhaps not about Krill, so let’s take a closer look at this crustacean.

Krill contains omega-3 fats such as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid).

Krill also appears to be better absorbed than most fish oils because the omega-3 fatty acids in Krill are bound to phospholipids, which is similar to how fatty acids are held in human cell walls. This allows for better absorption and improves utilization, so the anti-inflammatory fats get where you need them in less time.

Krill contains Vitamins A, D and E and an anti-oxidant carotenoid called astaxanthin.

Krill is not the only seafood that’s good for you!

Seafood is the best natural source of omega-3 fatty acids. Regularly consuming small amounts of omega-3 fatty acids has a beneficial effect by reducing blood pressure and reducing the risk of heart disease.

Here’s more about what the proteins, minerals, vitamins and omega-3 fatty acids found in seafood do for you:

*Brain: They reduce the risk of stroke and may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and depression.

*Digestion: They may help relieve symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease.

*Eyes: They contribute to vision development and to nerve growth in the retina and may reduce symptoms of dry eye syndrome.

*Heart: They reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, slightly decrease blood pressure, and improve circulation.

*Joints: They may help relieve symptoms and inflammation caused by rheumatoid arthritis.

*Lungs: They may help reduce symptoms of asthma and bronchitis and reduce the risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

*Muscles: They help build muscle and tissue.

*Skin: They may help relieve symptoms of psoriasis and eczema and may also ease the effect of aging and sun damage.

So while Krill oil may not be appropriate for everyone, especially if you’re allergic to shellfish, I like to keep you on top of new insights in health and nutrition!

And for those of you who answered A or B to the multiple choice question, now you can enjoy your day knowing more about what Krill really is!

shelli